How do I become a freelancer and make money?

Freelancing has become highly viable and rewarding option for individuals. Freelancers get to choose their own hours and can take care of other responsibilities. They also enjoy flexibility and independence from a regular job.

What exactly is freelance though?

A freelancer is someone who provides services to clients without being hired directly by them. This can be anything from writing articles to designing logos or running data analysis. The term “freelance” was coined during the Industrial Revolution in England because of the increased demand for skilled labor. As wages rose, more people were able to afford to hire their own workers instead of having to rely on factory owners and managers.

If you want to start working as a freelancer, here's some basic information you'll need to consider before jumping into the deep end.

1. Create a website.

Create a website for yourself and start building your portfolio. Make sure your site looks good, has a lot of content, and is mobile friendly if you want people to visit your site on their phone. If you’re feeling ambitious, take some time to set up a blog where you write about topics related to entrepreneurship, marketing, and business. You could even host your own online radio show!

2. Get started blogging.

Blogging is a great way to promote your work. Start small; don't worry about writing perfect grammar or being funny, just get started. Write about what you love, and eventually you'll find something that's fun for you and makes you happy. If you're not naturally witty, don't let that stop you. Just keep at it, and eventually something will click. Blogging isn't rocket science — it's not hard to learn how to do it right.

3. Find freelance clients.

Find freelance clients who need articles written, videos created, podcasts produced, websites designed, etc. Freelancing gives you independence, flexibility, and control over how much work you complete.

4. Build a mailing list

Build a mailing list so that people sign up when they hear about things that interest them. Promote your newsletter using social media and email, then send out an announcement once per week, or however often seems appropriate.

5. Network.

Network with other freelancers to build relationships and share ideas, resources, and advice. You never know when you might need a favor down the line.

6. Use your skills.

Take advantage of skills that you have. Do you speak Spanish? Create YouTube videos about traveling the world. Have a knack for graphic design? Learn how to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other software packages.

7. Charge accordingly

Charge enough to make ends meet while still making an income. Don't charge less than $50, and definitely don't charge more than $100. Aim for around $75 per project. Your value should be determined based on many factors including skill level (if you're brand new, be careful), experience, time commitment, and quality of work produced.

How can I become a successful freelancer?

Freelancing has never been easier -- or cheaper. Are you frustrated because you've tried to freelance before only to fail miserably? Or maybe you've succeeded at being a freelancer and now you want to get better at it -- whatever that means. If either of these describe you, read on.

Freelance jobs are incredibly important to our economy. They provide flexibility, independence, and opportunity across several industries.

Freelancing is also a great way to earn extra cash because you don't have to commit a large amount of time or money upfront. The trick is to figure out how to manage the risks involved in freelancing. Here are some key strategies to consider.

1. Research skills (marketing/communications).

The first step in becoming a successful freelancer is knowing what you want out of your career. Do you want to be able to make money working online? Are you looking to build your own brand? Learn about marketing and communications skills that will help you achieve these goals. These skills include digital literacy, public relations, SEO, social media management, content creation, website design, graphic design, copywriting, video editing, photography, etc.

2. Content creation.

Once you know what you want to do, then comes the next step - learning how to create quality content. The best way to start is by taking courses on web design, graphic design, business writing, and copywriting. You'll learn how to write good stories that engage readers, how to use images effectively, and discover how to set-up your personal portfolio. Finally, you'll have the opportunity to put your skills to work by building websites and landing pages for clients.

3. Sales skills.

You need to understand sales before starting to sell. Once you've created your portfolio, you'll want to decide whether you're going to work with clients directly or if you're going to find clients via freelance platforms. If you choose the latter route, you'll need to perfect your cold email pitch. Cold emails are the foundation of any freelancing career, and if you get them right, your message gets opened and you end up with potential paying clients. There are many ways to craft a great pitch email.

4. Networking.

Finally, once you've learned enough skills to succeed as a freelancer, you'll need to network! Find groups on Facebook and LinkedIn where freelancers discuss their successes and challenges. Attend meetups and conferences. Join communities on forums and social networks. And finally, don't forget to follow me on Vocal for more similar stories.

Thank you for reading!

You may never hear from me again if you don't follow up, so have a great day!